As a young girl, my family enjoyed camping. I have fond memories of my dad, mom, sister, brother, and me traveling with an overstuffed station wagon and a pregnant pop-up camper. Sometimes, we would venture to Highlands, NC, to park on undeveloped acreage my grandaddy owned. My parents set up camp in a beautiful green meadow beside a cold mountain stream. It was magical.
I remember campfires with family stories and s’mores. I have visions of playing in the cold mountain stream. Once my sister and I built a small stick playhouse with ferns for carpet. Life was sweet in the green meadow by the still stream.
That is, until nightfall.
When the kerosene lanterns and flashlights were off, the blackness surrounded me. My child-like imagination would run wild. I would lay awake in my sleeping bag, unable to find rest. And if I had to venture out into the night to get to the hole, my daddy dug for potty; then, this became a whole new level of dread.
As I laid listening to the sounds of the night, fear would creep into my soul. The wind sounded like howls of creatures in the tall grass. In my child-mind, the darkness hid bears and snakes.
I hate to admit it, but sometimes, I still feel this way. When darkness surrounds me, my imagination can keep me awake at night – the threat of COVID, the unrest in our world, and the unknowns of our society. Fear tries to move in and set up camp in my mind.
However, as a child in the dark camper, my eyes would begin to adjust just enough to see my Father’s silhouette lying in his bag. When I knew my Father was close, I felt safe. I had peace. I could rest. My fears would dissipate because I knew he would protect me. His presence gave a sense of security and protection, even in the darkness.
Only then would I begin to settle, with my eyes on my Father until my eyelids became heavy. Soon I would drift into peaceful rest in that little camper in the green meadow by the still waters.
Friends, I am learning that just like I had to keep my eyes on my daddy for peace as a little girl, I must now keep my eyes on my Heavenly Father for peace in this dark world. Now maybe, your memory of your earthly Father does not bring you comfort; but you have a Heavenly Father who wants to have a deep relationship with You. He has already proven His love for you on the cross. This heavenly Father is my peace in the good and the bad of our world. He will never leave me. His powerful presence is enough to give a calm confidence. With my eyes on my Heavenly Father, the cares of this world seem to fade. Nothing has caught my Lord by surprise. Just as my daddy was in the camper with me, and I could close my eyes and rest; Your heavenly Father is in your space, walking with you. So breathe dear sister and be at peace.
A familiar passage that is rich in goodness and truth is Psalm 23. These verses have come alive to me recently. They are a reminder that my Lord, the good Shepherd, is always with me. He leads me in green pastures and beside the still waters. Jesus restores my soul. Even in the valley of the shadow of darkness, He is with me.
Whatever you are facing today, know your Good Shepherd is with you. He will never leave you. He prepares a banquet table for you in the presence of your enemies. And “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow (you) all the days of (your) life, and (you) shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 (ESV)
Let your spiritual eyes Focus on the Good Shepherd and you will find rest for your soul.
